Abstract: A control circuit for a binding apparatus using a binder covers having resistance heating strips in a heat activated adhesive includes a power control to output a constant power to the heating strip. A duty cycle of the power signal supplied to the heating strip is controlled dependent upon the resistance of the strip. Fault detection circuitry indicates an open circuit in the resistance strip and interrupts the power supply. A stress test is performed by a high voltage generator which emits a high voltage pulse at the start of the binding cycle to stress the connections in the binder cover and thereby cause failure of any weak connections before the binding cycle is underway. A timer circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A control circuit for connection to a split capacitor motor automatically switches to reverse operation when the motor is caused to stop or slow unacceptably by a heavy load. During operation, a voltage is maintained across a relay winding which is sufficient to hold the relay contacts in the normally open position. A slowing or stopping of the motor causes a reduction the voltage across the relay winding, which permits the relay contacts to switch to a configuration that reverses the phase of the current through the main and auxiliary windings of the motor, thereby reversing the motor.

Abstract: There is provided herein a binding apparatus for use with a cartridge having at least one curled-finger ring-type edge binder, which apparatus is adapted to bind prepunched sheets together and form a booklet. The binding apparatus defines a binding position and includes cartridge support means for supporting a cartridge having at least one binder therein at the binding position, paper guide means for guiding sheets of paper with prepunched apertures to the binding position, insertion tool means for axial insertion into the binder to bind same to receive sheets therein, and clamp means are provided for selectively receiving paper for binding and for positioning the binder means at the clamping position.

Abstract: The system disclosed herein includes a pair of polymeric elongated edge-binding strips, each of which includes upstanding staple-like members extending from the strip adjacent the center and the ends thereof. Staple deforming depressions are positioned adjacent each staple-like member. In use a pair of edge-binding strips are positioned opposite each other and are used to bind a series of stacked sheets. In such a case, the strips are arranged to face other with staples from one strip aligned with depressions and another strip and vice versa.

Abstract: A cartridge system for carrying an edge binder and for use with a binding apparatus is disclosed for use in preparing bound booklets from prepunched sheets, usually paper. The cartridge is constructed to cooperate with the binding apparatus to carry and deliver binders for use in forming a booklet and to indicate to the apparatus as by location of conductive adhesive pads, the contents of the cartridge. Structure on the cartridge can operate the apparatus to control the thickness of delivered prepunched sheets. The apparatus includes a tool for opening the binder, a guide for delivering paper, and a support for the cartridge to deliver the binder. The tool, paper guide and cartridge support are angularly related to each other and to the horizontal.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an attachment for a laminating machine. The attachment permits one-sided lamination by adjustably imparting a reverse curling force to an initially curled laminate. The reverse curling force is imparted by bending and/or stretching the heated and laminated product before the film sets so as to offset the initial curl. This is done by drawing the laminated product over a bar edge and adjusting the draw with an adjustable roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and cartridge for use in binding prepunched sheets into a booklet using curled-finger ring-type edge binders. The binders include an opening tool which is drawn through the binder for spreading curled binder finger from the binder spine to form a document receiving gap. Binder/tool combinations are carried in the cartridge which includes a binding position or slot. The cartridge is to be positioned in an apparatus having a recessed base for receiving the cartridge and a cover which includes a paper receiving slot. The base defines a slot for alignment with the cartridge binding position slot. In the opened position, the terminus of the cover slot is aligned with the base slot. When the cartridge is in position and the cover opened, a booklet can be formed at the binding position by a binder being opened, apertured paper deposited in the cover slot and binder, and removal of the opening tool to permit the binder to close on the apertured paper.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus and method for binding prepunched and apertured materials together with a curled-finger ring-type edge binder using an elongated tool. The tool includes leading, intermediate and trailing sections. The leading section is longer than the binder, but not as wide. The intermediate section which uncurls the fingers taperingly joins the leading and trailing sections. The trailing section is longer and wider than the binder, holds the fingers open, aligns the prepunched paper relative to the fingers and can form an upwardly-facing paper receiving gap. The back end of the trailing section is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tool for releasing the fingers so as to allow each finger to release its potential energy, extent or snap through the aperture and thus bind the paper together.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for use in binding, which apparatus includes a base and a cover member hingedly connected to each other. The cover member includes a binding-receiving compartment positioned above a portion of the base. A pair of spaced electrical contacts are positioned in the base below the binder-receiving compartment for receiving and connecting to the binder-receiving contact. The base includes an electric circuit compartment for housing an electric circuit adapted to apply a current to said conductors upon contact with the book for a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a binder cover system for binding loose pages to a cover. The cover includes a spine and a front and back cover hingedly connected thereto, there being applied an electrically conductive layer to an insulator layer which carries an electrically conductive layer and which is secured to said spine and a heat-activatable adhesive layer to said conductive layer. Electrically conductive rivet-like means extend through said spine insulating layer and said electrically conductive layer and are connected by said electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A binding mechanism for use in binding punched and apertured material is disclosed herein. The mechanism includes a comb having teeth or tines for holding a binding element having a plastic-type backbone and curled binding fingers. A slidable hook mechanism is used to engage and uncurl the binding fingers so that the punched and apertured material can be bound thereon. The comb is mounted so as to be transversely slidable from an original position to a second position. A biasing spring is provided for returning the comb from the second position to the original position. This slidable comb cooperates in minimizing damage in the event these binding fingers are inoperatively jammed or wedged between the hook and the comb.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus for use in thermally binding documents. The apparatus includes a housing which defines a document receiving aperture. Biased supports are associated with the housing and in alignment with the aperture for compressing documents along an edge to be bound and for defining a predetermined binding position. A heater is associated with the housing and is positioned adjacent the predetermined position and support for heating the edge of the documents to be bound.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein hardware for securing and supporting a telephone directory or the like within a protective cover. The hardware includes a support assembly to be secured to the protective cover and for supporting the directory. The assembly includes an elongated backing support having spaced first and second supports. Each support includes an upstanding flange which carries inwardly-extending, book-engaging tines. Each of the tines includes an inner shaped or curved end and has rounded edges, at least along the inner end. In one embodiment one support is integral with the backing support and the other is removably secured thereto.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a combined punch and binding machine having a pressure bar assembly for use in the selected actuation of punch members. The pressure bar includes an elongated back plate having an actuator insert receiving aperture at each end thereof, a row of set pin receiving apertures, and a plurality of forwardly extending stripper plate engaging fingers. The pressure bar assembly also includes an elongated unitary forward member for alignment with and securement to said back plate member. The unitary member includes an actuator receiving recess at each end aligned with said plate receiving apertures. The unitary member also includes a housing defining a row of elongated and forwardly extending set pin receiving slots, each slot aligned with and spaced from the back plate set pin apertures. A spacer shoulder is also provided for spacing the pin receiving slots from the back plate to define a inactive punch receiving space.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a punching and binding machine which includes a frame, a laterally-extending row of punch means carried on the frame for guiding movement with respect to the frame and for punching binding apertures. A cover is provided for covering the frame and includes a forwardly extending table generally aligned with the punch for supporting materials to be punched. A guide is mounted to the table for securement at a position to said table. The guide includes at least one surface that in the secured position is selectively movable between a paper engaging position and a cover engaging position, each of these positions being generally transverse to the row of punches. The cover engaging position is laterally and outwardly offset of the paper engaging position. Thus an oversized cover punched using the guide in the cover engaging position with overlay edges of paper punched using the guide means in the paper engaging position.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a combined punch and binding machine which includes a frame, a plurality of pin receiving die openings, and a punch mechanism carried on the frame. An adjustable back gauge plate is provided for engaging an edge of the material to be punched and is positioned rearwardly of the die openings. The plate has a forwardly extending slide for adjusting the plate relative to the die openings and an adjustment indicia are carried on the slide. A cover is provided for covering the punch mechanisms and through the adjustment slide and for alignment with the indicia on the slide. A thickness gauge is carried on the cover for measuring the thickness of the material to be punched as the indicia thereon for indicating the measured thickness. The thickness indicia on the gauge is correlated to the adjustment indicia on the adjustment slide so that the position of the back gauge plate is set relative to the measured thickness of material to be punched.

Abstract: A power sheet punching apparatus is provided in which a reversing drive operates initially to drive punches through a stack of sheets and thereafter to reverse direction of the drive to withdraw the punches from the sheets. Should the drive be insufficient to drive the punches through the sheets and a jam occurs, an automatic timer operates to thereafter stop the drive and reverse the drive to withdraw the punches from the sheets, thereby providing an automatic non-jamming punch mechanism.